Hearts Card Game
Play the classic Hearts card game online for free. Four players, thirteen cards each — pass three away, dodge every heart and the Queen of Spades, and win the match with the lowest total. Rotating passes, multi-hand play to 100 points, optional Jack of Diamonds. No download, no sign-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is Hearts?
Hearts is a classic four-player trick-taking card game where the goal is to avoid taking points. Each heart captured costs 1 point and the Queen of Spades costs 13. After 13 tricks the hand is settled and the scores are added to the running match total.
How does the passing phase work?
Before most hands, every player picks 3 cards and passes them along, receiving 3 cards at the same time. The direction rotates each hand: left, then right, then across, then a hold hand with no pass before the cycle repeats. Use the pass to unload dangerous cards such as the Queen of Spades or high hearts.
Why can't I lead a heart at the start?
Hearts are 'broken' only when a heart is actually played — usually discarded on a trick led with another suit. Until then hearts cannot be led, unless you hold nothing but hearts. Discarding the Queen of Spades does not break hearts.
What happens on the first trick?
The holder of the 2 of Clubs must lead it. On that first trick nobody is allowed to throw a scoring card (hearts or the Queen of Spades) onto the trick, unless their entire hand consists of scoring cards.
What is shooting the moon?
If one player manages to capture all 26 scoring points — every heart plus the Queen of Spades — that player scores 0 and each opponent scores 26 instead. It is a high-risk, high-reward reversal checked at the end of each hand.
How does the multi-hand match work?
Scores carry over from hand to hand. After each hand the settled scores are added to every player's running total, and the match ends as soon as any player reaches 100 points. The player with the lowest total wins — tied lowest totals share the victory.
What does the Jack of Diamonds option do?
It is an optional scoring variant chosen when the match starts: the player who captures the Jack of Diamonds scores −10 while each opponent scores +10. Moon rules are unchanged, and shooting the moon takes precedence over the Jack of Diamonds adjustment.
Who wins the game?
The match goes to the player with the lowest running total when someone reaches 100 points. Hands themselves are won by scoring fewer points, but only the total at the end of the match decides the winner.
Is this Hearts game free?
Yes, this Hearts game is completely free to play in your browser — no download, no account and no real-money gambling. You play against three AI opponents, and it works on both desktop and mobile.
Game overview
- Four players (you against three AI opponents), each dealt 13 cards from a standard 52-card deck. There are no teams — everyone plays for themselves.
- Cards rank as in poker: 2 lowest, Ace highest. The only cards that score are hearts (1 point each) and the Queen of Spades (13 points).
- Hands accumulate into a running total. The match ends as soon as any player reaches 100 points, and the player with the lowest total wins.
- Before most hands each player passes 3 cards — the direction rotates left, right, across, then a hold hand with no pass. You must follow suit when you can, and hearts cannot be led until they have been 'broken' by a heart being discarded.
The pass
How the game flows
The first trick
Following suit
Breaking hearts
Turn order
- The holder of the 2 of Clubs leads it. Each trick is won by the highest card of the suit that was led.
- The trick winner takes all four cards (and any points in them) and leads the next trick.
- Play continues clockwise for 13 tricks until every card has been played.
- The hand is settled: 1 point per heart, 13 for the Queen of Spades. The settled scores are added to the running total.
Scoring
| Card | Points |
|---|---|
| Each heart (♥) | 1 |
| Queen of Spades (♠Q) | 13 |
| All other cards | 0 |
Shooting the moon
If a single player captures ALL 26 points (every heart plus the Queen of Spades), they score 0 and every opponent scores 26 instead. The game does not chase the moon for you — it is only checked at the final tally.
Multi-hand match (play to 100)
Pass rotation
Jack of Diamonds variant (optional)
Strategy tips
Pass your danger away
Pass the Queen of Spades unless you hold many low spades that can protect it. High hearts (A, K, Q) are the next best things to send away.
Create a void
Passing to leave yourself void in a suit (often clubs or diamonds) lets you discard dangerous cards on the very first tricks — safely, before hearts are even broken.
Respect the Queen
Hold the Ace or King of Spades and you risk capturing the Queen. If you must play high spades, try to dump them early — or duck with low spades and let someone else take her.
Count what is out
Track whether the Queen of Spades has dropped and how many hearts remain. Late in the hand, leading low cards from short suits keeps you safe while others fight over the points.
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